We are the United Steelworkers, North America’s largest industrial union. We’re 1.2 million members and retirees strong in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. We proudly represent men and women who work in nearly every industry there is.
This winter St. Louis County and the Teamsters Local 320 have been engaged in tense contract negotiations. The Teamsters represent about 180 country workers, including snowplow drivers, mechanics, building maintenance crews, parts room specialists, sign technicians, bridge maintenance crews and custodial staff. Negotiations have deadlocked over the following issues:
-Seniority as it relates to bidding for routes and jobs.
-Stagnant wages, leading to recruitment and retention challenges.
-Health care premiums, which have risen 31% since 2017.
-The process by which workers accrue benefits.
Frustrated with the County’s refusal to agree to their demands, the workers voted 112 to 1 to strike if necessary. The County and Teamsters are using the state’s Bureau of Mediation Services to try and facilitate an agreement. The BMS asks that workers file a ten day intent to strike to give a last chance to reaching an agreement before actually striking. The Teamsters filed the 10 notice at 12:01am on New Year’s, the earliest possible minute they could. Because of the holidays, the earliest the workers could go on strike is Jan. 14.
Snow plow drivers, and all County workers, work extremely hard, and have had some massive challenges this winter because of our epic snow storms. It’s only right that they should be compensated appropriately. We urge our readers to support the Teamsters. If this does go to a strike, walk the picket line. Tell your County Board member to support the workers’ demands. And check back here for further updates!
We just got word from SEIU that the workers at the Essentia Health Deer River Clinic have reached a tentative agreement with the company. So their strike, which was to start on Jan. 2, has been called off. So our union's planned carpool to their picket line is also now cancelled. Thank you to everyone who supported the Deer River workers during their tough negotiations. They stood strong, and it paid off!
On Saturday December 14th President Mark Eilers and his Family took part in a Wreath Laying Ceremony while visiting Family stationed at Ft Knox, Kentucky. Our Local will be looking to participate in this yearly event at Woods National Cemetery next year.
